The pre-debut hype was a double-edged sword. While the "Sickly Prince" aesthetic was winning over the internet, it also drew the eyes of the industry's predators.
LUSTER was invited to perform their debut stage at "Music Countdown," a major broadcast. It was a dream come true for the members, but for Jin-woo, it was a minefield.
[Current Condition: Frail.]
[Stamina: 14/100]
[Warning: High-stress environment detected. Heart rate fluctuation may trigger 'Dizziness' debuff.]
As the members walked down the narrow corridors of the broadcasting station, they bowed to every senior idol they passed. Most ignored them, but one group stopped.
It was K-NIGHT, a popular third-year group known for their "tough guy" image. Their center, Ryu-jin, was someone Jin-woo remembered from his past life-a bully who thrived on bringing down rookies.
"Oh? So this is the 'Glass Idol' everyone's talking about?" Ryu-jin sneered, blocking the hallway. He looked Jin-woo up and down, noting the pale complexion and the way Jin-woo leaned slightly against Min-ho for support.
"Nice to meet you, Sunbaenim," Min-ho said, bowing 90 degrees. "We are LUSTER."
Ryu-jin ignored Min-ho and stepped into Jin-woo's personal space. "Hey, kid. You look like you're about to drop dead. Is the 'sickly' thing a concept, or are you just too weak for this industry? If you faint on stage today, you're ruining the reputation of every idol here."
[Warning: Detecting 'Hostile Provocation.']
[System Note: In your past life, you would have punched him. Current status: If you punch him, your arm will snap.]
Jin-woo felt the familiar heat of rage rising in his chest. In his peak, he would have ended Ryu-jin's career with a single phone call. Now, he was just a rookie who could barely stand.
"I'm not faking anything," Jin-woo said, his voice quiet but sharp as a razor.
Ryu-jin laughed and reached out, roughly grabbing Jin-woo's shoulder. "Then maybe you should go home and drink some milk instead of-"
[Penalty Triggered: 'Physical Stress.']
[Result: Sudden Anemia.]
The world tilted. Jin-woo's knees buckled. Ryu-jin, surprised by the sudden weight, let go, and Jin-woo slumped against the wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor, gasping for air.
"Jin-woo!" The LUSTER members rushed to his side, forming a protective wall.
"Hey, what did you do to him?" Jun barked at Ryu-jin, his eyes flashing with anger.
"I barely touched him!" Ryu-jin held up his hands, looking around nervously as staff members began to peek out of their rooms. "See? He's just a fragile little-"
"Sunbaenim," Jin-woo interrupted. He looked up, his eyes shimmering with the 'Sickly Visual' aura-looking both pained and dangerously beautiful. A stray camera from a nearby "Behind-the-Scenes" crew caught the moment. "If you're so worried about our performance... why don't you watch from the wings? I'd hate for you to miss the moment we surpass you."
[Success! You have used 'Vulnerability' as a weapon.]
[Public Perception (Hidden): 100 staff members now think Ryu-jin is a bully.]
[Reward: +5 Vitality.]
Ryu-jin turned red, unable to argue without looking like a villain. He hissed a curse and stormed off with his group.
Ten minutes before the live broadcast. The LUSTER waiting room was silent.
Jin-woo was sitting in a chair, a cold compress on the back of his neck. He was shivering. The anemia penalty hadn't fully worn off.
[Stamina: 8/100]
[Warning: Performing 'STarlight' requires a minimum of 15 Stamina to complete.]
'System,' Jin-woo thought desperately. 'I need a boost. Now.'
[Karmic Store - Emergency Item:]
[Item: 'Adrenaline Shot (Heart Strain)']
[Effect: Grants +20 Stamina for 5 minutes. Penalty: After 5 minutes, Stamina drops to 1 and you will be bedridden for 48 hours.]
[Cost: 50 KP]
'I don't have enough points!' Jin-woo cursed.
Suddenly, a notification popped up.
[Hidden Quest Triggered: 'The Leader's Sacrifice.']
[Min-ho is currently praying for your health. If you accept his 'Sincere Worry,' you can convert it into KP.]
Jin-woo looked at Min-ho. The leader was in the corner, eyes closed, hands clenched so tight his knuckles were white. "Please," he was whispering. "Just let Jin-woo get through this. Take my energy if you have to."
[Accept 'Min-ho's Sincerity'?]
Jin-woo felt a pang of something he hadn't felt in a long time: Guilt. Real, stinging guilt. He had treated these people like tools, yet here they were, offering their own strength to keep him upright.
'Accept,' Jin-woo whispered.
[+60 KP received from Teammate's Devotion.]
[Purchasing 'Adrenaline Shot.']
"LUSTER! You're up in three minutes!" the floor manager shouted.
Jin-woo stood up. The Adrenaline Shot hit his system like a bolt of lightning. The cold vanished. The dizziness faded. His heart began to beat with a ferocious, artificial power.
He walked past his members, grabbing Min-ho's hand for a split second as he passed. "Thanks, hyung. Watch me."
They stepped onto the stage. The lights were blinding. The crowd was a roar of curiosity.
Jin-woo took his position at the center. He looked into the main camera, his eyes burning with a terrifying intensity that defied his pale, porcelain-like skin.
The music started.
[Adrenaline Timer: 04:59...]
'I'm going to show them,' Jin-woo thought, his body moving with a lethal grace he hadn't shown even in his past life. 'I'm going to show them that even a dying star can blind the whole world.'